Key West Mayor’s Race Shows Split Between Grassroots Donors and Business Interests
Incumbent Mayor Henriquez outraised challenger Kaufman during the latest reporting period, but Kaufman maintains a substantial overall fundraising lead as campaigns enter the final months.
Ed. Note: The antiquated software adopted by the City after the Supervisor of Elections abdicated its responsibility for campaign finance oversight makes this data exceedingly difficult to extract, analyze, and verify.
KEY WEST, Fla. — The Key West mayoral race is increasingly reflecting two distinct sources of political support as campaign finance reporting shifts from quarterly filings to more frequent disclosures ahead of the election.
Second-quarter finance reports covering April 1 through May 31 show incumbent Mayor Danise Henriquez raised $34,825 in monetary contributions, topping challenger Sam Kaufman’s $25,352 during the reporting period. Henriquez reported $361.56 in in-kind contributions, while Kaufman reported $200.
The campaigns spent at similar levels during the quarter. Henriquez reported $35,851.75 in expenditures, while Kaufman spent $39,599.67.
Despite being outraised during the quarter, Kaufman continues to hold a sizable advantage in overall fundraising, reporting $140,597.48 in cumulative monetary contributions and $77,384.57 in total expenditures since opening his campaign account.
Henriquez, meanwhile, reported cumulative fundraising of $103,715 and total expenditures of $51,921.
The reports underscore differing bases of support behind the two campaigns.
Chamber Darling vs. Grassroots Support
Henriquez’s fundraising has continued to draw support from many of the city’s established political and business networks, including donors connected to tourism, hospitality, professional services and longstanding Key West civic and family circles that have historically played influential roles in local elections.
Kaufman’s donor list, meanwhile, is notable for the number of contributions from Key West residents giving in smaller amounts. The report includes dozens of donations ranging from roughly $10 to $250, along with contributions from retirees, teachers, nurses, artists, hospitality workers, small-business owners and other residents spread throughout the city.
While Kaufman also received several $1,000 contributions, the campaign’s fundraising appears to be driven largely by a broad base of local supporters rather than a concentration of larger donors.
Kaufman’s expenditures were focused heavily on voter outreach and campaign operations. The campaign reported $8,253 for phone surveys, $7,500 for polling conducted by Bendixen & Amandi, and more than $15,000 in campaign staff expenses (all living locally.) Additional spending went toward advertising, campaign materials, digital outreach, video production and fundraising infrastructure most of which was spent in Monroe County.
In short: Henriquez spent a higher percentage outside Monroe County (63% vs. 55%), while Kaufman spent more both in percentage terms and total dollars with local vendors.
The latest filings suggest a race defined not only by competing visions for the city but also by different political constituencies. Henriquez continues to benefit from support among established business and civic interests, while Kaufman has relied heavily on neighborhood-level fundraising and contributions from individual residents.
The second-quarter reports are the last quarterly disclosures before Florida’s campaign finance schedule shifts to more frequent reporting. Candidates will now begin filing biweekly reports through the remainder of the election cycle, with the next major reporting deadline scheduled for Aug. 18. Those filings are expected to provide a clearer picture of fundraising momentum, spending priorities and coalition-building efforts as the mayoral contest enters its final stretch.
This is an evolving story. As other candidates reports drop, watch this space.